Our new 2013 Earth Pathways Diary is nearly here……..

and…..

it looks like this:

which is by the very talented Susan Hickey and is called “Dreaming Tree”

AND this:

which is by the equally talented Celia Harvey, and is called “Singing in the Spring”

What do you think? We are pretty excited about it all…and have been itching to share their gorgeousness with you for quite a while!!

We asked Susan and Celia to share the buzz, by telling us about their work. Here’s what they had to say.

‘Could you tell us a little about your cover painting Dreaming Tree?

“Dreaming Tree” is about Imbolc/Candlemas and the very first beginnings of Spring. What do Trees dream of? Rising sap, birdsong, and Spring weather! I am generally very inspired by trees, they open my heart.

I have been painting all of my life really, and I am mainly self-taught, but enjoy the occasional life-drawing workshop, or drawing trees in the flesh. My work is imaginary, partly channelled and decorative; I love to experiment with what paint can do, and I like to let paintings paint themselves, so I never know what I’m going to end up with, so pre-planning is futile!

‘What makes your heart sing Susan?’

My heart sings at the sound of birdsong on summer mornings, trees when I sense their connection to each other, being connected with Nature generally, Pre-Raphaelite art, Celtic art – especially their jewellery and metalwork – the intricacy and symbolism of that. The ‘soul nourishment’ I get going around art galleries.

‘How do you feel about being on our cover, about the prospect of over 7,000 copies of your work going out into the world?’

Excited, blessed and very grateful, especially to all of those people who have helped me along the way with getting this far, and I hope that people get ‘soul nourishment’ and inspiration from it.   Susan Hickey

‘Could you tell us a little about your back cover painting Singing in the Spring, Celia?

Many years ago someone told me a folk tale – sadly I have no idea of where is originated from – - but the tale was , quite simply that it was the singing of the birds in springtime that called up the buds and new growth. I was totally charmed by this idea – somewhere, away from all the scientific explanations we have for the miracle of growth in spring , there was a beautiful space for acknowledging the mystery , interconnectedness and intimacy of the season. And so the idea for this painting was born -I wanted to convey a subtle energy passing between the singing bird and the world, with the innocence and simplicity and joy that spring brings……..

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, your work, what makes your heart sing?

Ooops Well. The simple biographical bit is I am 56, married with one amazing 28 year old daughter, and some wonderful friends. I am lucky enough to live in a small village in Dorset – with a garden full of birds , flowers,vegetables and sunlight. I paint and take photographs -always inspired by nature herself . Sometimes my paintings are illustrative, sometimes abstract , but always I am striving to convey the special moments that nature gifts us with -Those moments when out in my garden , or walking in nature- when atmosphere,light ,mood and scenery come together to gift me with a sense of the sacredness of the moment.  It can be tiny- a dewdrop on a leaf – or vast – a whole vista, but  those are the moments when my heart sings and I long to be able to create something that will  share that moment with others

And finally, how do you feel about being on our back cover, about the prospect of over 7,000 copies of your work going out into the world?’

We just wanted to let you know that this is to be a very exciting week as we are nearly ready to unveil our 2013 Earth Pathways Cover and back cover!! So watch this space……..

And in the meantime Tam has taken this gorgeous pic of the newly sprung crocus in her north Wales garden…

as she stared in wonder through the window. The make believe world

contained in the colourful plastic walls of her dolls house carried

her, wth the greatest of ease, into a magical kingdom where anything

was possible, and everything was magical.  Through the eyes of my two

year old grand daughter I was reminded that so much of our daily lives

are ‘magic’ and so much more is possible when we believe.

When the darkness of sorrow and loss threaten to overwhelm us it’s

easy to think we will never feel joy again, but when we believe that a

tiny spark of hope can bring about change then we allow the alchemy of

magic to happen.  Can we let ‘magic’ in through the door of our lives

with the same unqualified acceptance as a child?

When we go to bed drained from the demands and expectations of life,

and awaken the next morning refreshed ‘ magic occurred, but did we see

it?

When your partner makes a welcome cup of tea, or your child tosses an

unexpected ‘thanks’ your way, or you are flashed a warm smile from a

stranger passing by did you see the ‘magic’?

As you rushed to take children to activities, and forgot the essential

swimming kit; were late for that critical appointment; the cat threw

up for the third time, and you spilled the last of the milk, did you

see the ‘magic’ in your day?

When discomfort and pain are daily companions is there space for magic

in the struggle of living? Do you wonder at the capacity our lives

have to heal and the ways we can be restored to balance without barely

catching our attention?

From the mouths of babes we can be nudged to see our lives through the

lens of simplicity and find the magic in the mundane details of our

lives. Every moment of our days can be refreshed with the vibrancy of

seeing and feeling the magic within, and around us. As Spring slowly

erupts from beneath the hard, frozen ground can we take time to watch

in wonder and see the ‘magic’ show that reflects our lives so vividly?

My eyes have been opened to the kaleidoscope of life’s wonder through

the magic of playing with my grand daughter.  Now that’s magic!

Coming to you today from the gentle valleys of North Wales, where Tam Peirson, our super-rooney sales sage (pictured above with her beautiful new granddaughter Raffaella Rose) has a few poetic words to share…

The valley sleeps today,

cloaked in cloud kissing the fields,

hugging the hills,

calling the gulls inland.

Such soft surrender

stretching time to a moment

of primeval eternity.

She drifts

until dark the moon night’s stillness

permeates my infinite soul

dreaming this transient life

under celestial bodies

that join hands

in a sparkle of peace,

a promise of

healing for humanity,

for now is the dawn

to the boundless power of love.

Since our Samhain sweatlodge I have been pondering on the seeds I am sowing in this dark, hibernating, quiet time of the year. Now the light is returning I am starting to feel a connection with the seeds that so many friends and acquaintances have sown during the dancing laughing and festivals of the last year. As we all celebrate 2012 in whatever way feels appropriate I would like to share my enthusiasm and love of life. That is what touches me in everyone I meet, what I search for, what I want to help people germinate, nurture, bring to flower, fruition. I am not sure that 2012 feels that different for me personally, but I am joyful in celebrating each moment and tracing back through the last year, special moments at festivals, in my new job, through friends on the internet. Then I see those seeds linking through into this year’s seasons and celebrations, the excitement of new projects, meeting of friends old and new, letting go of what I no longer need and welcoming in light and LOVE. I am also very excited to be reading my new Earth Pathways Diary and knowing how many of you are doing so at the same time.

Fuggo xxx

Here is a glimpse of summer to come… I am privileged to look out upon this landscape through all the seasons and it is equally joyous. Beautiful Derbyshire, the place of my heart. There is a spirit in this land which wraps itself around me, nourishes me and breathes new life into me on even the dreariest days. Through difficult times and happier times this land is always my ally, my soul-friend. In return it asks only that I honour it. And I do so with a full and loving heart.

Thanks to Annie, she is the angel on our Earth Pathways team who looks after all the P.R, magazine articles etc! 

I have had three encounters with Da Wild and Wicked Witches who are Sensory Solutions: Karen and Fiona. I found them through a random web search for a herbal “tonic”, a day’s workshop and a personal consultation. This was before I knew they were beneficiaries of the Earth Pathways Seed Fund. Suzi Goose from Earth Pathways asked me to write a few words on my experiences to give anyone who is interested a bit of detail on what to expect from these Wicked wicked gals!!

Random web search:
http://www.sensorysolutions.co.uk/catalog/

I was feeling a bit post winterish, a bit out of sorts, not ill – just not right, so hit the internet. Various things came up in my Google search, as they do, not least a company based in Hertfordshire, which is fairly local to me.  That “company” was Sensory Solutions”. I scanned their website. Going through their product list I wanted EVERYTHING. I selected a few things and ordered them. I decided I needed a personal consultation. The products arrived two days after I ordered them with e-mails from Karen and Fiona to say they were on their way . I really like high levels of service and the personal touch is always reassuring.  I started making arrangements for a consultation.

Meanwhile…

Day workshop
http://www.sensorysolutions.co.uk/events.html

The Clophill Centre (up the road from me) was having a herbal walk on their land focusing on Hypericum  Perforatum and guess what? It was being run by the Da Wild and Wicked Witches! I thought this would be a great chance to meet them before the consultation. We had an amazing day, walking the land finding out how to identify Hypericum Perforatum (I am just showing off – its St John’s Wort). Its quite tricky matching verbal descriptions and even photos in a “Spotters Guide”, to what there is in a field of grasses! We found out: what properties the plant has and what are their potential applications. We drank St John’s Wort tea and “met” the spirit of the plant through meditation and story. It was a restful insightful day. Holsitic in its fullest sense. I was really looking forward to my consultation

 Personal Consultation
http://www.sensorysolutions.co.uk/getintouch.html

My consultation was with Karen and for a variety of reasons it was at Karen’s own house. Being in a herbalist’s native habitat was quite a gift. Karen tends a garden burgeoning with herbs, vegetables, flowers and fruit. Barns for drying, brewing and mixing were evidence for me of a lifestyle heart felt choice. This is reflected in the quality and purity of the remedies and the intent in which they are mixed. Herbs that Karen and Fiona cannot grow themselves come from a carefully sourced, organic producer who sews and picks according to the moon.
The consultation was an hour and half of talking about me. No not my usual ramble. And not that daunting, well what can I tell you flibble flabble. Karen gave me 100% of her attention and led me through the information she needed to put together some beneficial herbs for me. Her opening question – for instance – was “What do you hope to change as a result of this process?” Karen made copious notes and oiled the process by pouring a couple of cups of herbal tea. It was friendly, professional and felt safe.
At the end of the consultation Karen said she would write up her notes and make up what she thought was appropriate and send it to me. She would  email me some links and the bill for the herbs.
The consultation cost £45
My herbs cost £31.50

My herbs: a tea mix, a bottle of oil and a bottle of drops arrived on the second day after my consultation. My package included a VERY long letter describing what herbs Karen had sent me and what I should do to maximize their benefit.
Karen’s recommendations for me included 2 rituals and a regime of herbal tea  to replace at least half my usual black tea and occasional coffee intake. I had some abdominal massage oil. And some drops. Karen warned me that they were bitter and oh boy was she right!
The tea is delicious. The oil (plus massage) seems to be having some small effect already but I think the drops had the most immediate impact. I won’t go into details but I am monitoring how this course of action progresses.
In her letter Karen suggested that we have a telephone review in August with possible a second consultation in September. I felt the level of care and well thought out process made me confident to follow her recommendations and to see what happens.
If you get an opportunity to go on one of Sensory Solutions herbal walks I think you’ll have fun and reconnect with the land in a specific and helpful way.  Buying products from well trained herbalists who eat, sleep and live their craft is inspiring. I think they are very worthy beneficiaries of the Earth Pathway SeedFund. Blessed Be